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Shirley selectman: Vote against recall

To the voters of Shirley, I currently serve on the Board of Selectmen and I'm asking for your support on Monday, Jan. 30.

After listening to my ideas, the town elected me three years and nine months ago in a special election by a margin of 2 to 1 over Enrico Cappucci.

Since being elected we have implemented many of these ideas regarding regionalizing services where it made sense, consolidating positions that had not been done when school regionalization happened, and reallocating funds that directly affect the taxpayer with regard to public safety.

The result of all of this work has been our town going from a $1.5 million deficit to a $1.2 million surplus. We restored police, fire, DPW and ambulance positions as well as increased funding to the library, seniors, and veterans. We were able to tax under the 2.5 percent cap last year, and if it is decided on Monday that Selectwoman Kendra Dumont and myself complete our duly elected terms, we are headed toward a balanced budget and tax rate under the 2.5 percent cap again.

This is no small accomplishment. It takes long hours of hard work, cooperation and consultation from all departments, the Finance Committee and the town administrator.

The gist of this election is twofold.

* Some people wanted to punish the town administrator by denying her a contracted salary increase for implementing our plan.

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Town Meeting doesn't have the authority to change contracts, but residents voted to do it anyway with the support of the then-Moderator Enrico Cappucci, who would not allow town counsel to advise the body that its decision would be overreaching its authority.

When we corrected this destructive course, some of this body decided to punish us through a recall.

* The second part is one selectman's crusade to control the Police Department by making a dismissed police officer the chief. Sadly, this is the only focus of Mr. Cappucci. His concern is not with the responsible governing of this town.

The importance of this election cannot be overstated. If Mrs. Dumont and I are not both allowed to complete our terms, most of the accomplishments will have been in vain. Shirley will -- within a budget cycle or two -- revert back to cuts and deficits. I ask for your support and trust on Monday, Jan. 30.

A vote for myself and Kendra is a vote for all of Shirley not just a few.

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